Indigenous peoples have a deep spiritual, physical, social and cultural connection to their land, so building homes within Indigenous communities – like the Takhini River 'First House' – must be undertaken with widespread support.

On April 19, 2012, Habitat for Humanity Yukon signed a partnership agreement with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) to make affordable homeownership available to more families on their settlement land. Since, ground has been broken on this triplex housing development in Takhini River, 50 kilometres west of Whitehorse. A milestone project, this is Habitat for Humanity’s first build on First Nations settlement land in Canada, making homeownership possible for three low-income First Nations families identified by the CAFN and that meet Habitat’s normal partner family selection criteria.

Leadership Build Week: September 9-16, 2012

From September 9-16, members of Habitat for Humanity Canada’s National Leadership Council, including Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, joined Habitat volunteers and CAFN leaders and community members to work side-by-side on the Takhini River 'First House'. In addition to bringing the project nearer to completion, the event served to raise awareness of affordable housing need among aboriginal Canadians and how through partnership and collaboration, the Habitat homeownership model can be part of the overall solution.

Over the next five years, we want to help 100 more Indigenous families achieve affordable homeownership. We will only be able to with the continued support of people like you.

Champagne and Aishihik First Nations

With over 1,200 members, the self-governing Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) are one of the largest of Yukon’s 14 First Nations. Their traditional territory covers over 41,000 square kilometres – 29,000 in the southwest Yukon and 12,000 in northern British Columbia. CAFN ties to their land reach back over 8,000 years.

As of February 1995, CAFN’s right to the Yukon portion of its traditional lands and resources was confirmed with the signing of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Final Agreement, which provided ownership for 2,427 square kilometres of land.

Affordable housing need is present in almost every community across Canada. For Indigenous communities, the need is even greater. Overcrowding, dilapidated housing and general unaffordability are issues faced daily by many of Canada's Indigenous families, especially those living on settlements and reserves, where it's been suggested that 42 per cent of existing housing is in need of repair, and an additional 35,000 housing units are required to address the current supply shortage.*

Read more about how Habitat for Humanity Canada's Indigenous Housing Program helps.

*Federal evaluation of First Nations housing
Note: Actual Takhini River triplex may not be exactly as shown. Render courtesy of Nicholas Discenza.